Overview

"At the risk of a 5-year prison term, Francesco Da Vinci struggles with his Virginia draft board to be recognized as a sincere conscientious objector to the Vietnam war. While his CO case is on appeal, Da Vinci forms a peace group in San Diego called Nonviolent Action. The peace group becomes a national movement, and its campaign to help end the war reaches the halls of Congress with the help of Senator George McGovern. For his stand as a CO and activist, Francesco becomes a target for hateful intolerance that spills over to his family and fianc�e. A special feature of Francesco's memoir is the photography that supplements the text. The captivating images taken by the author document civil rights & peace marches and include portraits of individuals iconic to the 1960s. You might ask, ""Why now for a '60s memoir?"" The issues raised in I Refuse to Kill are today's top issues-social justice, police brutality, government surveillance, persecution of nonviolent activists, and war versus the nonviolent resolution of conflict. The contributions of conscientious objectors and '60s activists have been largely omitted from our history or flagrantly distorted for political reasons. I Refuse to Kill sets the record straight."

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9781620068793

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Reviews

Francesco Da Vinci's I Refuse to Kill will inspire and move you deeply. This amazing true story confirms that one person, acting with courage and conviction, can successfully oppose war and help change a part of history. - Peter Yarrow, Peter, Paul & Mary If there is a saving grace in the sordid record of atrocities in Indochina, it is in the conscientious refusal of young men to serve in a criminal war. Francesco Da Vinci's pioneering role in this courageous course is an inspiration for all of us. - Noam Chomsky, Historian Da Vinci willingly paid a high price to counter perpetual war and champion nonviolence. - Governor Michael Dukakis Francesco Da Vinci's story is the testament of a brave activist risking his own freedom to ensure the humanity and dignity of others. May this book embolden people to oppose war and violence, and muster the courage to test new alternatives. - Joyce Ajlouny, General Secretary, American Friends Service Committee It is time that the people of this country are more offended by war and more encouraging of peace and conscientious objection. Da Vinci's eye-opening book is an important step toward that end. - Ed Asner, Actor Mr. Da Vinci's story of resistance, in which he risked everything for his moral convictions, could not be more timely as the US continues to be mired in numerous, seemingly endless, and equally senseless wars of choice. - Daniel Kovalik, author of No More War As a veteran of the Iraq War, I wish I had summoned up the same courage Francesco Da Vinci showed in opposing the Vietnam war. I Refuse To Kill is more than a memoir; it is a guide book on how to stand by our convictions for peace no matter what the odds. - Garett Reppenhagen Executive Director - Veterans For Peace Francesco Da Vinci has written a book which should be read by all people who populate the Department of 'Defense' and all in the military-industrial complex. - Helen Caldicott, Physician

Author Information

Francesco Da Vinci is a journalist, nonviolent activist, public speaker, and documentary film producer. Previously, for more than 20 years, he was a celebrity portrait photographer with Getty Images. Publication of Francesco's work include The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Newsweek, Time, and LIFE Magazine. Currently, Francesco lives and works in Los Angeles, where he is developing a documentary film based on I Refuse to Kill. The film will promote social justice, nonviolence, and altruism. Around his writing and film work, Francesco gives talks that pay tribute to conscientious objectors, past and present. Learn more at IRefuseToKill.com.

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